Water Park Agrees to $1.3 Million Settlement Following Outbreak
EMSL Analytical provides pathogen and water testing services to help prevent outbreaks of recreational water illnesses.
Cinnaminson, NJ, June 10, 2013
Last month, it was announced in the media that a large water park in New York had agreed to settle a class action lawsuit following an outbreak of illnesses in 2008. Reports indicate that the company that owns the water park agreed to a $1.3 million settlement with attorneys representing hundreds of people that claimed to have gotten sick. People involved in the outbreak came down with cases of diarrhea and vomiting believed to have been associated with a strain of the norovirus.
Since 1978, the incidence of recreational water illness (RWI) outbreaks of acute gastrointestinal illness has substantially increased. This year, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a report that found fecal matter in 58% of public swimming pools. The study looked at 161 samples from pool filter concentrates.
The study detected E. coli in over 50% of the pool samples, indicating that swimmers frequently introduced fecal material into pools. This could mean that pathogens can be transmitted to others through the use of these pools and recreational water activities.
Although the study found E. coli at higher rates in municipal pools, pools that required a membership or were located within a club still tested positive 49% of the time.
Some of the organisms detected in the study included:
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa
- E. coli
- Giardia intestinalis
- Cryptosporidium
“Recreational water illnesses are caused by germs spread by swallowing, breathing in mists or aerosols, or having contact with contaminated water,” reported Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President, Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “Recreational water illnesses can also be caused by chemicals in the water or chemicals that evaporate from the water and cause indoor air quality issues. EMSL provides testing services for a wide range of organisms that are associated with recreational water illnesses to help prevent these types of outbreaks.”
EMSL has sponsored an online video about public pools, microbial contaminants and RWIs that can be seen at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYe9xEZTNVg
To learn more about water testing, aquatic microbiology or other environmental testing services, please visit www.AquaticMicrobiologyLab.com or www.EMSL.com, call (800) 220-3675 or email info@EMSL.com .
About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider of environmental, indoor air quality and materials testing services and products for professionals and the general public. The company has an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies.
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water- Contact Information
- Joseph Frasca
- Senior Vice President of Marketing
- EMSL Analytical
- (1) 1-800-220-3675
- jfrasca@emsl.com
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